Carrying system

ABSTRACT

An electronic device carrying system ( 100 ) includes a belt clip component ( 104 ) and a swivel base component ( 108 ) coupled to each other using a swivel member ( 110 ). The swivel member ( 110 ) allows for both ends to swivel or rotate freely, allowing the electronic device being carried by the carrying system ( 100 ) to be rotated in a number of positions. The belt clip component ( 104 ) includes a number of channels ( 302 ) and the swivel base component ( 108 ) includes a number of channels ( 602 ) which allow the carrying case ( 106 ) or electronic device as the case may be to be locked into a number of different positions.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates in general to the field of carrying devices andsystems, and more particularly to a carrying system for an electronicdevice.

BACKGROUND

Present day electronic device carrying systems such as holsters and beltclips do not provide enough flexibility to the electronic device user toallow him to swivel the electronic device 360 degrees and in multipleaxes of rotation. With the increase in features in electronic devicessuch as cellular telephones, a user sometimes needs to view the screenof the cellular telephone or other area while the telephone is stillattached to the belt clip or holster without significant effort in orderto take advantage of features such as Caller ID. Given the above, a needexists for a carrying system which would alleviate the problem mentionedabove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel,are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The inventionmay best be understood by reference to the following description, takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures ofwhich like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a carrying system in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a view of a two ended swivel member in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a partial view of a belt clip component in accordance withan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a full frontal view of the belt clip component of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the belt clip member.

FIG. 6 shows a frontal view of the swivel base member that attaches tothe holster or directly to the electronic device in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of the swivel base member of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows a top view of the swivel base member of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of an electronic device being carried by acarrying system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features ofthe invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that theinvention will be better understood from a consideration of thefollowing description in conjunction with the drawing figures.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a side view of an electronic devicecarrying system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.Electronic device carrying system 100 includes a belt clip portioncomprising a spring loaded belt clip 102 and a first swivel member (orsimply referred to as a first member) or belt clip member 104. Firstswivel member 104 is attached to a second swivel member (or simplyreferred to as a second member) or swivel base member 108 using a swivelmember such as a two-ended swivel member 110 which connects the beltclip member 104 to the swivel base member 108. Swivel base member 108can be attached directly to a carry holster 106 or alternativelydirectly to an electronic device such as a cellular telephone, etc. (notshown) using conventional fastening techniques such as fasteners oradhesives. Although in the preferred embodiment the carrying system isdesigned to carry an electronic device, it can be used to carrynon-electronic devices such as tools, etc.

In FIG. 2, there is shown an isometric view of the two-ended swivelmember 110 which has a “bone-shaped” appearance. In one embodiment, thefirst spherical end 202 is smaller in diameter than the second sphericalend 204. The first and second spherical ends 202 and 204 provide forcomplete swiveling (rotation) of the carry holster (or electronicdevice) 106, as well as allows for swiveling at the end attached to beltclip member 104. The extension 206 between the first and secondspherical ends 202 and 204 of swivel member 110 allows for the carryholster or radio 106 to be extended outward away from the belt clipcomponent 104 before it is swiveled.

In FIG. 3, there is shown a partial view of the belt clip member 104.Belt clip member 104 includes a large lead-in opening 304 which allowsfor the first spherical end 202 to be inserted into the belt clip member104. The belt clip member 104 includes a central circular opening 306having radiating channels 302 oriented approximately 90 degrees to eachother, although any other suitable orientation and number of radiatingchannels 302 can be used. Once the first spherical end 202 of the swivelmember 110 is inserted into the belt clip member 104 via lead-in opening304, the first spherical end 202 rests inside a cavity such as asubstantially spherical cavity found inside of the belt clip member 104.The extension length 206 of the two-ended swivel member 110 can belocked into any one of the radiating channels 302, or it can be allowedto rotate 360 degrees when it is oriented straight out from centralopening 306. Since the spherical end 202 of swivel member 110 has alarger diameter than the central opening 306, the swivel member 110 ismaintained attached to the belt clip member 104, while allowing theswivel member 110 to swivel freely inside of the belt clip member 104.

A full front view of the belt clip member 104 is shown in FIG. 4. Astopper 402 prevents the swivel member 110 from being released out ofits position within the central opening area 306. The stopper 402 can bean integral bump in the top channel 302 which requires a large force toremove the swivel member, or a separate piece part that is put in placeto help retain the two-ended swivel member 110 from being disconnectedfrom the belt clip member 104 once it has been inserted.

In FIG. 5 there is shown a top view of the belt clip member 104 with thetop channel 302 shown. The stopper 402 is also shown in FIG. 5. The beltclip 102, belt clip member 104 and swivel member 110 can be manufacturedfrom a number of materials including plastic.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a front view of the swivel basemember 108. Similar to belt clip member 104, swivel base member 108includes a central opening 604 having a circular front opening(spherical shape inside) and radiating channels 602 spaced approximately90 degrees apart (or other suitable orientation based on the designrequirements). The radiating channels 602 again like radiating channels302 found in the belt clip member 104 are used for locking the two-endedswivel member 110 in different orientations. Located inside of thecircular front opening 604 is a spherical cavity for receiving thesecond spherical end 204 of the two-ended swivel member 110. Thespherical cavity is larger than the diameter of the second spherical end204 and thereby allows the two-ended swivel member 110 to swivel orrotate freely. The swivel base component 108 can be attached directly tocarrying case 106 or the electronic device (not shown) usingconventional fasteners or adhesives.

In FIG. 7, there is shown a side view of the swivel base member 108. Theswivel base member includes an opening 702 all the way through the back,which allows the swivel member 110 to be inserted straight in with thefirst spherical (smaller) end 202 inserted first through the opening702. Since central opening 604 is smaller in diameter than the second(larger) spherical end 204 it prevents the two-ended swivel member 110from coming out through the central opening 604. In FIG. 8, there isshown a top view of the swivel base member 108.

In FIG. 9, there is shown a side view of an electronic device 902 beingcarried by the carrying system in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. The two ended swivel member 110 is shown extendedhorizontally and in position to allow both ends 202 and 204 of thetwo-ended swivel member 110 to rotate freely. The user can then selectwhich of the radiating channels 302 and 602 he wants to “lock” thetwo-ended swivel member 110 into. The two-ended swivel member 110 allowsthe electronic device 902 to be carried in a number of differentorientations, while allowing for easy viewing of the electronic device902.

In one embodiment, once the swivel member 110 is inserted into placewith the first spherical end protruding from the central opening 604,the carry case or radio 106 is attached to the swivel base member 108.This prevents the two-ended swivel member 110 from being detached fromthe swivel base member 108.

In operation, if a user lifts up on carry case 106 (or the electronicdevice if the swivel base member is attached directly to the electronicdevice) the two-ended swivel member 110 moves horizontal and away fromthe belt clip component 104, allowing for the carry case 106 (orelectronic device) to be rotated in multiple directions. The user canthen select which of the channels 302 in the belt clip component andwhich of the channels 602 in the swivel base component 108 the userwants to the “lock” the two-ended swivel member 110 into. Channels 302and 602 provide a snug pressure fit in order to keep the carry case (orelectronic device) 106 in place once its position is selected.

Electronic device carrying system 100 allows for easy movement andadjustment of the electronic device or carrying case 106 as the case maybe. The use of the two-ended swivel member 110 makes the design simpleto manufacture, while providing multiple positions in which the carrycase or electronic device can be locked into. This affords the user easyviewing of the electronic device if for example a telephone call hasbeen received and the user wants to read his telephone's display (e.g.,caller ID number, etc.).

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustratedand described, it will be clear that the invention is not so limited.Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions andequivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by theappended claims.

1. An electronic device carrying system, comprising: a belt clip memberhaving a central opening having at least one radiating channel; a swivelbase member having a central opening having at least one radiatingchannel; and a swivel member coupled between the belt clip member andthe swivel member.
 2. An electronic device carrying system as defined inclaim 1, wherein the swivel member comprises a two-ended swivel memberhaving first and second spherical ends.
 3. An electronic device carryingsystem as defined in claim 2, wherein the first spherical end is smallerthan the second spherical end.
 4. An electronic device carrying systemas defined in claim 2, wherein the belt clip member and the swivel basemembers each include a spherical cavity, and the first spherical end ofthe two-ended swivel member is located within the belt clip component'sspherical cavity and the second spherical end of the two-ended swivelmember is located within the swivel base component's spherical cavity.5. An electronic device carrying system as defined in claim 4, whereinthe swivel base member is attached directly to an electronic devicecarrying case.
 6. An electronic device carrying system as defined inclaim 4, wherein the two-ended swivel member can be placed in a firstposition wherein its first and second spherical ends can rotate withintheir corresponding spherical cavities.
 7. An electronic device carryingsystem as defined in claim 6, wherein the two-ended swivel member can beplaced in a second position in which it is locked in place using the atleast one radiating channels found in the belt clip member and theswivel base member.
 8. An electronic device carrying system as definedin claim 7, wherein the two-ended swivel member, the belt clip memberand the swivel base member are manufactured from plastic.
 9. Anelectronic device carrying system as defined in claim 4, furthercomprising: a belt clip connected to the belt clip member.
 10. Anelectronic device carrying system as defined in claim 1, wherein boththe belt clip member and the swivel base members each include aplurality of radiating channels oriented 90 degrees from each other. 11.A carrying system, comprising: a first member having a cavity and acentral opening having a plurality of radiating channels; and a swivelmember having a first spherical end, the first spherical end beinglocated within the first swivel member's cavity.
 12. A carrying systemas defined in claim 11, wherein the swivel member comprises a two-endedswivel member that includes an extension that can be locked into one ofthe plurality of radiating channels.
 13. A carrying system as defined inclaim 12, further comprising: a second member having a cavity and acentral opening having a plurality of radiating channels; and thetwo-ended swivel member includes a second spherical end that is locatedwithin the second member's cavity.
 14. A carrying system as defined inclaim 13, further comprising: an electronic device carrying caseattached to the second member.
 15. A carrying system as defined in claim13, wherein the first and second members each include four radiatingchannels each oriented 90 degrees from each other.
 16. A carrying systemas defined in claim 15, wherein the two-ended swivel member can beplaced in a first position which allows the first and second members torotate.
 17. A carrying system as defined in claim 16, wherein thetwo-ended swivel member includes an extension that can be locked intoone of the radiating channel found in the first member and one of theradiating channels found in the second member.